Date: 1651
"Many erroneous opinions are about the essence and original of [the rational soul]; whether it be fire, as Zeno held; harmony, as Aristoxenus; number, as Xenocrates; whether it be organical, or inorganical; seated in the brain, heart or blood; mortal or immortal; how it comes into the body."
preview | full record— Burton, Robert (1577-1640)
Date: 1676
"Music so softens and disarms the mind."
preview | full record— Etherege, Sir George (1636-1691/2)
Date: 1684
"Since Harmony, like Fire to VVax, does fit / The softned Heart Impressions to admit."
preview | full record— Behn, Aphra (1640?-1689)
Date: 1694
"For although the Soul is said to reside in one place, it operates in every part, exercising every Member, which are the Souls Instruments, by which she manifesteth her power; but if it so happen, that any of the Organical parts are out of Tune, the work is confused."
preview | full record— Aristotle [pseud.]
Date: 1710, 1714
"For the understanding here must have its mark, its characteristic note, by which it may be distinguished."
preview | full record— Cooper, Anthony Ashley, third earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713)
Date: 1712
"How is the Image to the Sense convey'd? / On the tun'd Organ how the Impulse made? / How, and by which more noble Part the Brain / Perceives th'Idea, can their Schools explain? / 'Tis clear, in that Superior Seat alone / The Judge of Objects has her secret Throne."
preview | full record— Blackmore, Sir Richard (1654-1729)
Date: 1724
"One Law of the Action of the Soul on the Body, & vice versa, seems to be, That upon such and such Motions produced in the Musical Instrument of the Body, such and such Sensations should arise in the Mind; and on such and such Actions of the Soul, such and such Motions in the Body should ensue; m...
preview | full record— Cheyne, George (1671-1743)
Date: 1729
"E'en not all these, in one rich lot combined, / Can make the happy man, without the mind; / Where judgment sits clear-sighted, and surveys / The chain of reason with unerring gaze; / Where fancy lives, and to the brightening eyes, / His fairer scenes, and bolder figures rise; / Where social lov...
preview | full record— Thomson, James (1700-1748)
Date: 1731
"Feeling is nothing but the Impulse, Motion, or Action of Bodies, gently or violently impressing the Extremities or Sides of the Nerves, of the Skin of other parts of the Body, which by their Structure and Mechanism, convey this Motion to the Sentient Principle in the Brain, or the Musician."
preview | full record— Cheyne, George (1671-1743)
Date: 1734-1735
"Hark! she invites from city smoke and noise, / Vapours impure, and from impurer joys; / From various evils, that, with rage combin'd, / Untune the body, and pollute the mind."
preview | full record— Savage, Richard (1697/8-1743)